SIGNIFICANT SAFETY IMPROVEMENTS TO KEY REGIONAL SA ROADS

The speed limit on three major regional South Australian roads will be lifted to 110km/h from 100km/h after significant safety upgrades delivered under the $143 million Rural Roads Package – Safety Package.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the safety upgrades allowed for the safe reinstatement of the faster speed limit.

“Motorists using Carpenter Rocks Road from Carpenter Rocks to Mt Gambier, Goyder Highway from Crystal Brook to Gulnare and Andamooka Road between Andamooka and Olympic Dam will soon be able to travel at 110km/h,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“Improvements to these roads include shoulder sealing, audio tactile line marking and the installation of safety barriers – work which is supporting 108 jobs per year as work continues on other key routes.

“We are continuing to roll out this type of infrastructure nationwide under our $100 billion investment pipeline, which is supporting jobs and communities at a time when it’s needed most.”

South Australian Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Corey Wingard said the upgrades formed part of the Marshall Government’s $1.1 billion investment in regional roads and ticked off yet another election commitment.

“Instead of investing in our regional road network, the former state Labor government simply reduced the speed limit on eight key routes,” Minister Wingard said.

“We promised to improve the safety of these roads and re-introduce the 110km/h speed limits and that’s exactly what we’re doing. Through a range of programs, including this one, we’re fixing more 1,000 kilometres of South Australia’s 12,600 kilometre sealed regional road network over the next few years.

“These are the first three of eight roads we’re going to lift the speed limit on and work is progressing well on the other five.

“Works are underway on Cleve Road and $14.47 million worth of works started last week on Browns Well Highway between Loxton and Pinnaroo, including 105 kilometres of shoulder sealing and seven kilometres of pavement improvements.”

Federal Member for Barker Tony Pasin said the improvements would make travelling in regional South Australia safer and more efficient.

“These works, which target critical areas of the regional and rural South Australian road transport network, are part of our commitment to ensure the safety of regional South Australians on our state’s roads,” Mr Pasin said.

Federal Member for Grey Rowan Ramsey said the upgrades would also bring productivity benefits.

“In addition to improving safety, these upgrades will make our freight industry more productive by addressing ‘list mile’ issues and reducing costs for operators,” Mr Ramsey said.

In total, $70 million from the $143 million package will target safety improvements on more than 423 kilometres of country roads:

• Carpenter Rocks Road (Carpenter Rocks to Mt Gambier)
• Goyder Highway (Crystal Brook to Gulnare)
• Andamooka Road (Andamooka to Olympic Dam)
• Cleve Road (Cleve to Kimba)
• Clay Wells Road (Southern Ports Highway to Callendale)
• Riddoch Highway (Mt Gambier to Port MacDonnell)
• Ngarkat Highway (Pinnaroo to Bordertown)
• Browns Well Highway (Loxton to Pinnaroo)

Works on Clay Wells Road and Ngarkat Highway will start later this month. Works on Riddoch Highway are scheduled to begin by the end of the year.

All works, including the final speed limit increase, are expected to be finished by April 2021.

Media contact: Charlotte Edmunds 8531 2466